A disturbing rush to approve unvetted Cabinet
I amdeeply troubled by this week’s rush to confirm Donald Trump’s appointees for Cabinet positions and other key posts before ethics review processes have been completed. Citizens have a right to know that those being named to these high positions in our government have been fully vetted and that they are ready to serve the American people— not just some of the people, and not just themselves, but all of the people. Wemust be confident that these nominees do not have conflicts of interest that could corrupt them in their posts.
Mitch McConnell himself set the standard in 2009 in his own letter to then- SenateMajority Leader HarryReid, listing the requirements that should be met for each nominee, including an FBI background check, a letter from the Office ofGovernment Ethics and financial disclosures. Howis it possible that this “McConnell Standard” is not considered essential in the present day? These protocolsmust be observed, and the people and the pressmust demand this.
Furthermore, the people and the press must continue to demand that President- elect Donald Trump complete the process of disclosing his tax returns and assigning all of his business interests and investments to a blind trust. Otherwisewe can have no confidence that the mission of this administration is to govern for the benefit of the people. It will be clear instead that this administration will be in business for personal advantage and profit. KarinEvans, ForestPark
Toomany replays
After watching more baseball and football than I wish to admit, it occurred to me the games are not as much fun as they used to be. The main culprit: video replays.
Both baseball and football have a rhythm. A team gets hot. In baseball it’s a rally, in football momentum. When this phenomena occurs, the fans get “into the game” and excitement and enjoyment raises to a new level. But this doesn’t happen as often anymore. Just as the game is getting good, a close call is challenged and everyone stands around for several minutes while the officials huddle around a TV screen. By the time a decision is reached, the excitement had died down. The momentum is gone.
Just because the technology exists does not mean it has to be used. In an effort to always be correct, sports has lost its focus. Sports are supposed to be fun. Video replays are sucking the fun out of the game. Ted Staroscik, Darien GETMOREONLINE Additional letters at chicago. sun times. com